Jump to content

Ikan Wireless Follow Focus


Jason Glucksman

Recommended Posts

  • Premium Members

Yup, interested here too.

 

According to Reduser, don't know how reliable info there is, it's now compatible with Heden and will start delivering in August...

 

 

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?115360-Checking-interest-for-TiltaMax-3-Channel-Wireless-FI-Z-System-Group-Buy/page47

 

When I asked them about this at NAB, I was told it would work with only their motors. Even though they use a standard looking 7pin Lemo (a fake lemo) it is not the standard digital motor protocol, or Preston Standard as everyoen calls it. Its their own internal brushless motor system, rather like the Cmotion Compact or the original Viewfactor motor, with its own internal drive electronics. They just chose to use a 7pin lemo. It looks like it should work with Heden motors, but it dosn't.

 

They could have changed this since of course, but given the work involved in making the system that way, it would seem unlikely to me that they would change to a standard preston style motor control at this stage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • Premium Members

I receieved my PD movie follow focus a few days ago and haven't had a chance to test it yet. Overall its seems to be a decent system, good overall build, some strange positioning on the controls, and a pretty lame system button press system for setting up marks etc. Besides that for the price your gonna get exactly what you expect, a chinese product that will do exactly what you need as long as your carefull and take care of the system. I'll post a video review of it once I have a chance to spend sometime with it on my rig.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

@ Jonathan: As I'm quite interested in that system too, have you already had a chance to test it? I'd very much like to know if the normal EF motor has enough torque for e.g. the focus ring of Samyang primes (not as stiff as proper cinema primes, but a little more than the normal SLR lens).

Best, Frank

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I'm also very interested to hear how this system tests out. The few other reviews I've found seem pretty positive, but another operator's perspective would be really good to hear. I was hoping to test one in person at B&H, but unfortunately they don't have any models out on the floor to demo. (And now it looks like their out of stock on all the models as well.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

B&H price is 2400$ for the dual channel model. As far as I know, maybe the cheapest one on the market. I am looking for an affordable system (not for intensive use, yet has to be simple and reliable) so does someone have an experience with it ?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1053803-REG/ikan_pd2_ht_remote_air_one_pd.html/prm/alsVwDtl

 

I found these guys for pretty cheap: cinegears.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Premium Members

After setting up the system the first time and charging the handset, the handset did not power up at all.

This sort of problem from a brand new system shows the level of product your working with....

In turn I did not get to test the actual system, motors or anything at all. The build quality was decent, the follow through with items such as the handset, only having an internal battery is a pretty poor idea, all well as the metal marking rings that make a metal clinking noise whenever you hit the controlers hard stops (whoever thought that was a good idea)

 

Whenever I purchased the system through Adorama they don't actually carry it and have it sent directly from Ikan (aka China)

This shows the complete lack of knowledge they have of these products which is not a good sign.

 

 

I'm a fairly new operated and was looking for something reasonably priced and against my better judgement went with this system.

Needless to say, a handset that doesn't power on the first time you use it shows the lack of reliability the entire product.

I contacted Ikan, they were quick to respond, yet with zero solutions, "well it should power on, your just going to have to send it back for us to inspect and replace."

 

That's not the support I need from a critical piece of kit, nor would I let myself end up in a situation that would leave me stranded.

 

I contacted Adorama yesterday and am returning the system.

 

Even as a new operator I understand the importance of having a reliable regional company I can deal with, PD movie/Ikan is not one of those companys.

I'd suggest you to steer clear of the system, unless you need a basic cheap solution for in house work, not when someone else is paying you.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I bought a BFD several years ago when I was first i the market for a single channel system. this was before the Chinese made systems were around (I'm including the RedRock in that statement). Even now that there are those options, I would still go with a Bartech.

 

The BFD is still my only system. It has never failed on me, and Jim And Marc have always been there with great support.

 

Another thing that doesn't get mentioned very often about these cheap systems is rental and resale value. No one is asking to rent these Chinese systems, so how are you going make your money back? I rent my Bartech out all the time. The fact that it has paid for itself several times over because of its reliability and brand recognition should be the reason you skip over cheaper systems.

 

Why try to save a couple thousand on the initial purchase when you'll be leaving all those thousands in rental money on the table? And what about the money you'll lose sub renting while your faulty unit is in transit back and forth to China?

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

the above is a perfect example, please read and remember!

 

BFD and Heden motors for the lower budget, the better choice....

 

 

 

 

Another thing that doesn't get mentioned very often about these cheap systems is rental and resale value. No one is asking to rent these Chinese systems, so how are you going make your money back? I rent my Bartech out all the time. The fact that it has paid for itself several times over because of its reliability and brand recognition should be the reason you skip over cheaper systems.

 

Why try to save a couple thousand on the initial purchase when you'll be leaving all those thousands in rental money on the table? And what about the money you'll lose sub renting while your faulty unit is in transit back and forth to China?

 

 

Two great points right here, I had considered the resale, but not neccesarily the lack rental value of a cheaper system.

Glad to have learned the slightly easier way, hope everyone else heeds this advice!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...